MAN CITY ON HIGH AFTER FA-CUP SUCCESS...

Roberto Mancini believes Manchester City's FA Cup triumph could be the launchpad for an assault on next season's Premier League.

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City ended their 35-year trophy drought on Saturday afterdowning Stoke 1-0 at Wembley to clinch a major trophy for the first time since 1976.

The victory was the first tangible return City's owners have been able to enjoy since their 2008 takeover and the subsequent lavish spending on players which has topped £300 million to date.

But while City's players and fans celebrated, Mancini was already looking to future challenges, with next season's Premier League at the top of the list.

"We want to try for the title next year," Mancini said.

"I think this year it was important to start to win. In one week we qualified for the Champions League which was our first target. And we won the FA Cup.

"I think we improved a lot this season, like a team. But I think we need to improve more. We need another step. But it was important that we start to win, because once you start to win, it gets easier."

Mancini believes that City might even have challenged for the title this season had it not been for a fixture congestion which saw them fall away towards the end of the season.

"For two months, we were close to the top. We stayed on the top for four or five weeks. We were very close with Chelsea, United and Arsenal.

Real Madrid very interested in Manchester City's Tevez...

Real Madrid may try to sign Manchester City striker Carlos Tevez if they fail to lure Hamburg striker Ruud van Nistelrooy, sports daily Marca said on Monday.

Tevez made a shock transfer request in December, blaming bad relations with the City management, but withdrew the demand later in the month after clear-the-air talks with the Premier League club.

Real Madrid had already contacted City, Marca said.

There were two big hurdles, the paper said: first, that City would insist on a transfer rather than a loan, and secondly that a transfer would cost €40 million and the Argentine's annual salary was €8 million.

Hamburg has rebuffed Real Madrid's efforts to bring over 34-year-old Van Nistelrooy, saying he will not be allowed to leave and must complete his contract.

Real Madrid is trying to fill the gap left by Gonzalo Higuain, who could be out of action for another four months following surgery on January 12 for a slipped disc and may not return to full fitness for a year.

Real are four points behind Spanish first division leaders Barcelona after a shock 1-1 draw at bottom side Almeria on Sunday.

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